GordMay said—I think that all of the smart-ass & insulting emoticons* should be removed from the forum. They all convey ideas & attitudes that we wouldn’t permit if overtly expressed in words.

There's a problem with the premise of the original post: that some emoticons are inherently "smart-ass" and/or "insulting." If the premise were valid, the conclusion would be sound; however, the premise is not valid.

These little animated pictures are not inherently pejorative: it is the context in which they are used that determines meaning. Any of the emoticons highlighted in the OP can be used in ways that are innocent. Consider the following hypothetical, but very plausible, examples:

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You, know, an M-16 with a scope will take out those annoying Powered Water Craft.

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Clearing in and out of [COUNTRY NAME] is an experience you wouldn't believe.

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I've been grinding for days now, and I still can't get all the 5200 the previous owner used to bed all the deck hardware!

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So the owner realizes he just took 50 gallons of No. 2 diesel down the wrong deck fitting, and these two guys start screaming at each other right there on the fuel dock…

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You can leave the generator on for hours, but you're never going to get all 220 amp-hours stored in a battery that has lost 20% of it's storage capacity, no matter what your meter says.

All innocently used, but I could just as easily use each of them in ways that are disparaging, insulting, belittling and degrading.

The problem isn't the emoticons, amoral collections of pixels they are: the problem is that they are used (notice the passive verb) to disparage, insult, belittle and degrade.

The mods go a great job of creating a culture of respect and camaraderie around here. If you're going to restrict anything, restrict behavior, not icons.

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__________________s/y Elizabeth— Catalina 34 MkII"Man must have just enough faith in himself to have adventures, and just enough doubt of himself to enjoy them." — G. K. Chesterfield

Am I alone in seeing the irony of this thread. Its singular purpose was a suggestion to eliminate symbols which create divisive and argumentative content, and it has failed miserably to do that. Was that clear enough without some little cartoon?

I must say though, when I read Gord's earlier comment suggesting that I go someplace else if I don't play by his rules, the hair stood up on the back of my neck. Somebody that owns this forum must benefit from my being here, because I now receive ads from vendors here at home, who I personally don't patronize. So is my presence here being marketed.?

Seriously, I think emoticons play one useful role: expressing when someone is being lighthearted / ironic / sarcastic when, if you simply read their words, you might miss this essential fact because it would take too long or be too unweildy to express it. Beyond that, I think they are pretty juvenille.

As well, if one were talking face to face with someone, they rely on facial expressions. Close your eyes and ask someone a personal question, and it is unlikely you'll get a true response or their feelings.
Emoticons are not much different then Pictograms or Ideograms! Internationally we use them on a daily basis. Just a better way to communicate....................._/)

__________________Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
A nation of sheep breeds a government of wolves!
Unprepared boaters, end up as floatsum!.......

Symbols or words...............it's all how they are used. If symbols are banned..................are words far behind!

e.g Censorship

__________________Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
A nation of sheep breeds a government of wolves!
Unprepared boaters, end up as floatsum!.......